Finance Officer

Finance Officer

D. R. Congo

Role and Responsibilities

Support many of the financial activities of the programme. On a day-to-day basis the Finance Officer carries out a variety of accounting functions required to ensure the financial needs of the programme are met and that all financial transactions are carried out and recorded with integrity and in accordance with donor, HQ and field guidelines.

Project Overview

Emergency health and WASH projects targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in Goma and several villages around Goma in Walikale territory. Developmental projects aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change in general population and state health employees to improve public health outcomes.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter and infrastructure.

Workplace         

Goma, North Kivu Region, D. R. Congo

Starting Date

April 2015

Initial Contract Details

Full time, Minimum contract 24 months

Key Activity Areas

Finance and Accounting  

• Carry out the day-to-day accounting functions of the programme including, but not limited to:

• Managing in-country cash, ensuring sufficient amounts are available at all times and that necessary security measures are in place and are being followed.

• Conducting regular cash and bank reconciliations, verifying amounts held and reporting any discrepancies.

• Paying supplier invoices either directly or in conjunction with colleagues and in accordance with agreements made.

• Paying staff salaries and allowances as agreed, ensuring that all required statutory deductions are made and subsequently paid to the appropriate authorities.

• Supporting colleagues in cash handling and financial transactions, providing coaching and guidance as required.

• Ensuring all financial transactions are carried out in accordance with the Medair guidelines and procedures and any donor requirements.

• Work with the Finance Manager, or in the absence of the Finance Manager take responsibility, to:

• Produce accurate monthly accounts within the agreed timeframe, including the compilation and finalisation of monthly expense sheets for all cash and bank accounts.

• Consolidate the monthly cash needs forecast for the Country Programme, ensuring that money is transferred between locations in a timely manner.

• Focal point for the Labour Report for NRS staff.

• Focal point for the NRS payroll preparation.

• Prepare for and support internal and external financial audits, providing all information required by local legislation, donors, HQ or other bodies and report immediately any possible fraud or theft.

Administration

• Ensure a clear and transparent paper trail is adhered to for all financial transactions and that all filing and archiving is in line with Medair and donor requirements which follows international accounting standards.

Communication

• Maintain open and frequent communication, where applicable, with the Finance Manager, field management and the HQ Finance Officer concerning all financial issues.

• Ensure colleagues are informed of the required finance procedures, and be available to answer any finance related questions and to provide coaching and guidance as necessary.

   

  Quality Management

• Adhere to all financial internal controls by using and promoting the Medair e-library and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.

Qualifications

• Certificate in business administration and / or accounting / book keeping

   

  Languages

• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)

• Working knowledge of French (spoken and written)

• Ability to speak, or willingness to learn, local language, such as Lingala and/or Swahili desirable

   

  Experience / Competencies

• 2 years’ experience in a finance / administration position

• 2 years’ experience in a not-for-profit organisation desirable

• Experience of working with different accounting packages desirable

• Experience in dealing with banks and foreign currency offices desirable

• Competent with administrative tasks

• Enjoys a challenge and works hard to achieve objectives

• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips

• Willingness to be stretched professionally, personally, and spiritually desirable

• Able to make decisions within a consultative and supportive framework

   

  Medair Standard Working Requirements for the Field

• Experienced professionals in a relevant field; Overseas intercultural experience

• Committed Christians; commitment to the Medair values

• Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written

• Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes

• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.

• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)

• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, external contacts

• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions

• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

   

  Benefits

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder

• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing

• Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments

• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country

• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)

• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food allowance)

• Annual leave; Death and disability allowance

• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings (for experienced relief workers)

• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts

• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing

Working Conditions  

• This is a field position based in Goma and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

   

Application Process

Follow this link: www.medair.org/work-with-us, check if you are an Experienced or New Relief Worker and that you fit our standard working criteria, then:

1. apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or

2. apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.

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